The New Orleans Pelicans’ coaching search should expand to include Tim Duncan.
The New Orleans Pelicans are taking their sweet time finding a coach, and unless they end up hiring someone from the Lakers or Heat, fans are going to wonder why it took so long.
The NBA Draft is quickly approaching and the start of next season won’t be far behind, so the Pelicans need to get on it. However, doing your homework isn’t a bad thing and could lead the Pelicans to make a more creative choice.
Most expect the Pelicans to hire a retread like Tyronn Lue or Mike D’Antoni at this point, which makes sense, as both have had success in the past and would seemingly fit with the Pelicans’ roster.
But the Pels could also go a different direction and hire a first-time NBA head coach like Chauncey Billups, Sam Cassell or Jerry Stackhouse.
If they are going to go this direction, there is another name that should be added to the list, all-time great Tim Duncan.
New Orleans Pelicans: Tim Duncan will be a head coach in the future
When Tim Duncan was drafted to the San Antonio Spurs in 1997, it started a 22-year playoff streak that was one of the most impressive feats in sports that just finally ended this season.
Duncan teamed up with Gregg Popovich to form one of the most successful player/coach combinations of all time and many believe Duncan will take over the Spurs when Pop finally retires.
Duncan was always thought to be one of the smartest players in the NBA, “The Big Fundamental” who knows every nuance of basketball. He is one of the greatest players of all-time and by the end of his playing career had already turned into a type of mentor/coach on the floor.
Duncan spent his entire career learning from the greatest coach of all time, and that, coupled with his own understanding of the game, should make him a great coach somewhere.
Would the Pelicans take a chance on a first-time head coach like Duncan? Could he form a similar duo with Zion Williamson that he once had with Popovich?
It is unlikely, but Duncan is an interesting name that hasn’t gotten a lot of attention. He’s got the smarts, he’s got the respect of the players and Tim Duncan could be the next player who transforms into a great coach.
He would be a great option to teach Zion Williamson the nuances of post play, passing and running the pick-and-roll. In fact, what better person to teach Zion than the guy who is widely considered the best all-time at the same position?
Tim Duncan is definitely a longshot choice for the New Orleans Pelicans but would be a risk worth taking and could be the best possible coach for Zion Williamson’s development.